Grove Street now open for business

Posted: Thursday, Feb 14th, 2013

Erica and Maxwell

ALAMOSA — Need a place to hang out late at night? A place to meet up with friends that serves coffee and ice cream?

Grove Street Coffee and Ice Cream is the newest café in town, also serving delicious baked goods. They are located in the Valley Plaza, near the split of the one-way pairs off of Highway 160 across from ASU’s theater.

Owners Maxwell and Erica, along with their friend Nick, have put their heart and soul into a place named after Detroit’s Old Blues Clubs’ District.

“I have fond memories of frequenting the clubs listening to the bands and always wanted to name my business Grove Street. I’m so excited,” said Max, “I am selling ice cream in Alamosa when it’s only two degrees outside!”

When asked what his number one request has been, he said, “Open Mic,” especially from the supportive theater and music students on campus. Max’s mom is the administrator at Juniper Village and every time he came to visit over the past several years, he thought, “There is a lot of opportunity here for new business ideas.”

He and Erica not only signed up as Small Business Development Center (589-3682) clients, but enrolled and graduated from the Leading Edge program. They developed their business plan and marketing ideas while working with local contractor, Ken Wagner, while remodeling the location.

“Ken has been the best construction guy I’ve ever worked with. I also need to thank Electrician Gary Malmberg and Plumber Paul Steffens, and all three are my best customers.”

They have plans to put up local art to decorate the walls and are developing relationships with their repeat customers.

“Most of my advertising has been my sign and on Facebook. We hit our break-even numbers the first week we were open.”

They are considering extending their hours of operation, but for now, it is M-Th: 7 a.m.-11 p.m, Friday: 7 am – 1 a.m, Sat: 10 am – 1 am, Sun: 10 am-10 pm. As someone said at the Chamber Business Networking event, “With a name like Maxwell, you should be running a coffee business.” Max or Erica can be reached at (719) 209-3198 or at www.facebook.com/GroveStreetCoffee.